Fright Factory 2021 Review

On Saturday October 23rd, the HRC decided to check out a favorite in the Philly (PA) area. Fright Factory is in the heart of the South Philly warehouse district. So, of course, it’s in the basement of 2 old warehouses. We are talking about 25,000 square feet of haunt!!!! What more could you ask for in a truly urban haunt setting?? Oh yea, it’s purported to be really haunted!

Fright Factory gives you a great use of space with varying room & hallway sizes to confuse your senses. The actors’ timing was on point. Scenes provided enough visual distraction to allow the actors to get you at just the right time. There were some props and rooms that totally stumped us. We were analyzing to see where the scare would come from; some rooms stood on their own creep factor. While other rooms had hidden alcoves or actors hidden in plain sight. And, don’t think you’re safe be because you left a scene. Many of these creepy characters will follow you for awhile; very very quietly………until!

Fright Factory does a great job with larger-than-life creatures. Some may come alive, some may not. Either way, a huge creature is a great addition to any scene. Just their massive size will startle just about anyone.

While their 2021 Halloween season is done, there is still a chance to check out Fright Factory. They will present, A Christmas Nightmare the first weekend (3rd, 4th, & 5th) of December 2021. Grab your tickets now and let them know the Haunt Review Crew sent you!

Markoff’s Haunted Forest 2021 Review

On a Sunday, October 24th, the HRC ventured out to Dickerson (Poolesville) MD to Markoff’s Haunted Forest. In the past, this haunt had three attractions and a midway area. This year the midway still had many activities to partake in. There was ax throwing, the death jump, several food and drink options, multiple huge bonfires, and a DJ playing a variety of music for your entertainment.  This year instead of three attractions, they had two. The town and only one trail.  They combined the two previous trails into one long 45 minute hike in the woods. This combined trail had 19 scenes, from both original trails. This is not your average walkthrough.  The trail is dimly lit and there are quite a few hills in the woods. They do a good job clearing the trail, but it is a forest and small objects could end up in your path. As you walk the trail, you don’t just run into the characters in the scenes; some will find you while walking between scenes. With the dim lighting, you never know what’s coming or where it’s coming from. In some scenes, the lights blast bright, letting you finally see what’s right in front or next to you. This abrupt lighting change plays with your vision and provides a great startle affect.  Sometimes it’s not what you see, but rather, what you hear. Some of the vocalizations were just incredible.

The other attraction Markoff’s Haunted Forest has is called, The Town. To get to The Town you hop on a trolley-style trailer for a dark bumpy ride across the farm. Upon exiting the trailer, you walk over a short bridge to the entrance of the “pre-town” corn maze.  Small groups enter the short corn maze; however, your group is not alone. There are some characters in there waiting for you.  Upon exiting the corn maze, you make your way to the entrance of The Town.  The sheriff or another local is there to greet you. The character does a nice job setting the mood for the attraction.   They give you a little backstory of what has happened in the town. There’s  great interaction and dialogue with the character while you wait your turn to enter. Once you’re in, it really feels like you’re walking through an old western town. The actors played their characters well.  They were great at interacting with the groups of people. The actors knew the sets well; they were able to hide in alcoves and niches, so you wouldn’t notice them as you came into the scenes. They also didn’t use the usual first person scare tactic.  That kept everyone in the group on edge, because they never really knew what was going to happen.

One thing we’d like to mention about Markoff’s Haunted Forest,  they were the first haunt we’ve visited that used a number system or scheduled time slot for the attractions.  This is great for crowd control and decreasing long lines.  You can relax and enjoy everything the midway has to offer, until your number or time slot is called.  We noticed this ticketing method has spread in the area, especially with continued Covid precautions.  

While Markoff’s 2021 season has come to an end, this is another haunt to keep in mind for next Fall. Don’t forget to wear proper footwear for trekking through the forest.  Check them out and let them know the HRC sent you.

Hotel of Horror 2021 Review

A Saturday evening and we here at the HRC headed out to Saylorsburg, PA (the Poconos region) to visit Hotel of Horror. This haunt is in an old hotel that is believed to be haunted. It is an abandoned 200 year old Poconos resort once called The Lake House Hotel. If you are interested in this kind of thing, you can check out their website for the backstory of the hotel.

This haunt has two attractions. The first attraction is Hotel of Horror, which can be done solo or on the 2 attraction combo ticket. The second attraction is Altered Nightmares, which is only available on the 2 attraction combo ticket.  It’s a continuation of Hotel of Horror,  for those who are not ready for the haunt to end. Hotel of Horror follows the theme of the creepy lake house hotel. It follows the history of the hotel and flows nicely from one scene to the next. The scenes are designed with great detail, giving actors places to hide even in plain sight. The lighting does play tricks with your vision. One moment you see nothing, the next moment there’s something or someone right in front of you or next to you. They go from dim to dark to bright and blinding.  With this being said, take it as a warning for those with light sensitive health issues; if you choose to go, take someone with you.

As you exit Hotel of Horror you will leave the building if you have a single attraction ticket. If you bought the 2 attraction combo ticket, you will be directed to the line for Altered Nightmares. If we could only use one word to describe this attraction, it would be “disturbing.  This attraction is like walking through a museum of the macabre. It is the dark and sinister side that lives up to its name of “nightmares.”  You will encounter many unique creatures. Some rooms have no actors, but the scenes alone will creep you out. You feel like there’s something or someone watching you. The rooms demand you take in all the details.  The eeriness of each room will rattle your nerves so much.   Then, when you do come across an actor they take full advantage of the state you’re already in. Some actors creep you out with their dialogue, while others will get to you with their silence.

Hotel of Horror is open one more weekend in 2021.  Their last night is Saturday, November 6th. There is still time to check them out this season.  Let them know the Haunt Review Crew sent you.

Waldorf Estate of Fear 2021 Review

On a muddy Saturday night we made our way to Waldorf Estate of Fear in Lehighton, PA. Here they have two attractions, escape rooms, and zombie paintball. In the midway, they also have carnival games, craft vendors, and carnival food.

We started with the hotel. Upon entering, you are greeted by the bellhop of the hotel. He may be one of our favorite actors of the evening. He did an amazing job setting the mood for yhe Rest of the attraction.  The bellhop had scripted dialogue, but he also used great original dialogue based on our interaction with him.  His vocal tone and inflection was very eerie and creepy. The sounds he could make were even creepier. Once in, you definitely knew you were walking through a hotel. We appreciate how they kept the scenes true to a hotel setting. The scenes flowed very well from one room to the next. Just imagine anyone who might work in a hotel; they were all there, in their creepiest version. As we walked through, another favorite scene was the library. The librarian played her part perfectly. We were a little scared to do any talking in that library; she wasn’t having it!  The actors here do a great job interacting and dialoguing in their scenes. There are some scream actors, but they are spaced out so you don’t feel like you are just being screamed at the whole time.

Next up we headed over to the walkthrough, Terror in the Corn. At the entrance you come to meet the morbid hostess who gives you the backstory as she leads you through the maze-like entrance. Once through that part, you will come face to face with many classic horror movies. We don’t want to give away who you will see as you go through, but we have to give a shout out to Beetlejuice. It was like he was fresh off the Hollywood set. He had the voice, mannerisms, humor, looks, you name it. He could easily have been the real Beetlejuice. We loved the interaction he had with us in that scene.

Each scene fit perfectly with the main character from a well-known horror movie. It’s roughly a 20 minute, and possibly muddy walk, so make sure you have on appropriate footwear. 

With this haunt season ending, be sure to keep Waldorf Estate of Fear in mind for next year. One of the great things about their location is they are in the vicinity of other great haunted attractions; we are talking 30-45 minutes. You could easily hit this one up and at least one other in a night. This was actually our second haunt of the evening. As always, when you go next year, let them know the HRC sent you.

Bedlam in the Boro 2021 Review

The HRC visited Bedlam in the Boro on Saturday, 10/16/2021. This is an annual favorite; not because it’s scary or high-tech, but because it’s the largest fundraiser for the LVFD (Lineboro Volunteer Fire Department) and it’s a great family-friendly haunt. Bedlam hosts an indoor haunt, the House of Horror, and a 3-mile haunted hayride through the town of Lineboro.

Yes, a 3-mile hayride. This hayride gives you a little humor, a lot of scenes, and a nice crisp ride in the Fall weather. The scenes are spaced out, so you enjoy the ride through the community then have time to focus on the scenes. Hang on, as the ride gets bumpy and pretty fast along the way.

The House of Horror is filled with mind bending rooms that will leave you trying to figure out what’s real and what’s not. Actors are well hidden in some rooms, while others are in your face as soon as you enter the room. There are clowns, insane doctors, mad scientists, and rooms filled with creepy crawlies.

Bedlam also hosts food & drink vendors, as well as midway games. They have some of the best pit beef we have had anywhere!! We give it 2 thumbs up, and at least 1 of our members devoured 2 of these moist and delicious sandwiches. This is definitely a place for family fun, so enjoy some games, & win some prizes. We love the way the LVFD and the community work together to bring this event to life every year. Please give them a visit and tell them the HRC sent you!

Lehigh Valley Screampark 2021 Review

While it may have been a Sunday night, we here at the HRC won’t let that stop us from venturing out and going to a haunt. Four of us from the crew made our way to Lehigh Valley Screampark in Orefield, Pennsylvania on the 17th. The haunt came recommended by another haunt lover, so we knew it would be good.

When you first get to Lehigh Valley Screampark, it doesn’t look like much. All you see is the outside of a building and some bathrooms. A quick walkthrough and you are out of the building and heading to the ticketbooth. Once you have your tickets, your group is assigned a number. You are then on your way to 6 Feet Under and the Feeding Grounds. Here in the midway area you can hangout by the firepit, get food and drinks, and listen to the dj play music while you wait for your number to be called to head over to the hayride. There was even a game of corn hole setup the night we were there. It’s nice to be able to relax while you wait for your turn for the hayride instead of just standing in line for a long time. The counter is above the hayride, so no matter where you are, you can easily see what number they are up to. A few numbers are called at a time, so they do a nice job with keeping everything running smoothly.

The Hollow of Horror Hayride is the first attraction you go to. It is not your typical hayride. Here at Lehigh Valley Screampark you don’t sit with your back to the railing. This hayride doesn’t have a railing because you are sitting with your legs hanging over the edge as you face your surroundings. With this setup the actors are able to easily get up close and personal with you. The actors did a great job staying in character and playing off of what the customers on the hayride said and did. They really listened and seemed to take some of their cues from how we reacted to what was going on.

Up next you are on our way into the Condemned Haunted House. As you come up the hill from the end of the hayride, you are heading back to the midway area. There are staff at the top of the hill to guide you to where you need to go. The set design of the house was done up very nicely. The scenes were detailed and it looked like the place really might be condemned. There were twists and turns all over the place. Sometimes the actors were right where you could see them, but often you didn’t see them until they were right next to you. By then it was too late and they got you.

The last stop of the night is Operation Bio Purge. As you exit the house, you go straight across to the entrance for this last attraction. All of the entrances and exits are around the midway area, so you still get to hear the entertainment as you wait in line to enter the attraction. The theme for this attraction is a military facility where some testing has gone wrong. From the outside all you see is this tunnel where you will enter. It felt like we were going underground as we walked through. The details in the scenes and the actors in there did a great job making it feel like you were actually at a military facility. The sergeant who you first encounter stays in character while playing off what the patrons say and do. You did not want to mess around with her there. In this attraction, there were scenes where we thought some objects were props or part of the set, but it was actually a real actor. We didn’t know what to expect as we went from one space to the next. Right before the exit of the attraction, make sure you are really paying attention to where you are going or you might have a hard time finding your way out. If you’re not careful, those who were infected with the biohazard might find you and get you.

We heard about this haunt in prior years, but sadly last year they were not able to open because a fire destroyed pretty much everything. Costumes, props, you name it. In nine months they rebuilt from the ground up. From the details in the midway and in all three haunted attractions, it’s amazing to see what they accomplished. You wouldn’t believe that there had been a fire. They truly put their heart, soul, and sweat into getting ready for the haunt season this year. Go check them out and let them know the Haunt Review Crew sent you. It is definitely worth the trip.

Hackney Haunts 2021 Review

On October 9th, two of us in the HRC made our way to Westminster, Maryland to check out a haunt that is new to our crew. Hackney Haunts has two haunted houses located at the TownMall of Westminster and a haunted corn maze at Local Homestead Products LLC. Hackney Haunts has only been around for three years and this is the first year with the corn maze. We went through the two haunts at the mall, but did not make it to the haunted corn maze.

While we were excited to attend a new haunt, we were not sure what to expect with it being located in a mall. A location in a mall can be hit or miss depending on the design, the attention to details, and of course the actors. Here at Hackney Haunts they did not miss… it was a solid hit. From the outside it may not look like much, but once you enter into the waiting area it’s a whole different experience. You no longer feel like you are still in the mall. It almost feels like you have been transported to just outside Hackney House for one attraction and then the vampire’s castle for the other. The details in the scenery just in the line areas are incredible. With the amount of details in the scenes, you can see the passion they have for what they are designing. That attention to details can be seen throughout the scenes in the haunts as well as in the props and costumes. There were times we were not certain what was a prop and what was real.

We started our evening by going through The Haunting of Hackney House. This haunt has you feeling as though you are walking through someone’s house and that it is definitely haunted. With how long we have been reviewing haunts, we usually have an idea of where the actors are going to pop out from. Through this haunt that was not the case. We often had no idea where the actors were going to come out from and they got at least one of us almost every time. It almost seemed like we were being watched and the actors waited for the best time to let their presence be known. The possessed girl on the bed did an amazing job. We were starting to wonder if her acting was that good or if it was really happening.

After going through Hackney House, we needed a moment to collect ourselves before heading into Bite Fight, the other haunted attraction they have at the mall. This haunt follows the story of a vampire leader who was peaceful until the humans took the woman he loved and accidentally killed her. He gets his revenge on the humans only to learn that it was because of what the werewolves did that she was taken in the first place. As you go through the haunt, the werewolves are leading you to the vampire leader who has taken control and is no longer peaceful like he once was. Just like in the first haunt, we again had no idea where the actors were going to come from. Sometimes they were even out in the open, but they seemed like they were a prop and not real. We got right next to them or past them before they let it known that they were real and not part of the scenery.

Our nerves were on edge from beginning to end through both haunts. There was never a moment to feel like you might be safe. You might think you can feel safe when you see the exit, but that is not the case here. They are still going to get you even then.

Each haunted attraction is $10, so for only $30 you can have a fun filled evening of scares. The show and experience is well worth that price and then some in our opinion. When you make your way to Hackney Haunts at TownMall in Westminster, park between Belk and Boscov’s. The ticket booth is located not far inside the mall entrance between the two stores.

For the two of us from the HRC who made it out to this haunt, we both agree that this is a must visit haunt. Rain or no rain they will be open. You gotta go this year and check out what they have done because every year so far they have completely redone their haunts. You won’t get this same experience next year. When you go, let them know the Haunt Review Crew sent you!

Laurel’s House of Horrors 2021 Review

Laurel’s House of Horrors is back at it again this season and boy have they made some changes. With being an indoor haunt, this place is open even when it is raining. There is a covered area where you wait in line before heading inside. One thing that we have always liked about this haunt is the uniqueness of their location. This is the only haunt we have been to where the location is an old movie theater. When you first get inside, you know you are in the lobby area of a theater. The line wraps around the old concessions area and they have the costumes of some well known horror movie characters on display. Once you walk through the doors into the attraction, you lose the sense that you are in a movie theater. The scenes are detailed and flow nicely from one area to the next. The space is utilized very well with all the twists and turns that they have in there. The walkthrough was longer than we expected for the location that it is in. The actors did an excellent job too. They were really into their characters. Some you would see right away, but they are just a distraction for what was waiting in the background to get you. While the actors won’t actually try to touch you, don’t be surprised to see random hands reaching for you through the walls or out from under things down by your legs. We didn’t know what to expect as we went through.

If going through a haunt isn’t your thing, Laurel’s House of Horrors also has escape rooms. While we did not go in one this year, we have been in them in the past. We had a blast figuring out the clues. We had to really work together and think about some of them to figure them out.

We had a great time and recommend you check out Laurel’s House of Horrors. Let them know that the HRC sent you. If you do one of their escape rooms, come back and leave a comment letting us know what you thought of it.

The Bates Motel 2021 Review

Ladies and gentlemen, Bates 2021 is rolling into this haunt season with quite a show! If you’ve read previous reviews or watched our videos about Bates, you know we talk about that “Bates Flair” when referencing an amazing scene or scare. 2021 is full of the flair and scare you have always expected at the Bates motel attractions.

This season the Hayride, “Psycho Path” is, as in 2020 still a walk-through attraction. HRC as a group prefer this experience to the hay wagon. Walking through allows you to really take in their creative, and massive scenes. This approach also leaves you feeling way more vulnerable! The details in each and every part of this place is what has kept thrill seekers coming back yearly. There are movie quality scenes, made with love from the staff of Bates motel that we have never seen anywhere else. The placement of actors along this walkthrough is so well done that we got quite a few scares along the way. They physically blend the actors into their surroundings. It is brilliant! The “Revenge of the Scarecrows Haunted Trail” did a fantastic job using misdirection to get their scares in. The tall corn gives off the perfect vibe along with perfect hiding locations! The use of animatronics and actors combined make for some really great “gotcha” moments. The trail seemed longer this year and featured several new sets. We won’t give them away but we think you will enjoy them. The “Bates Motel” attraction has added many new rooms. There were so many changes it felt like a whole new attraction. There are sudden floor changes, flying people, insane props that you cannot be sure aren’t actors. It is insane. Truly kicked up several notches in their room designs and the actors in there are so dedicated they have mastered feeding off of the patrons who come through. They enjoy taunting their “guests” and putting on a hell of a show.

This is the 31st season this location has been a haunt. To have that kind of longevity you need several things: heart, dedication, funds and smart staff! The level of technology and optical illusions they are using speaks to keeping up with the times and the love of scares. They do all of this and still include some of their classics. The headless horseman rides again! We are looking forward to an off season visit to get a glimpse of the hard work put in year round to make a haunt of this caliber last. Be sure to check back and see those special interviews!

Pennhurst Asylum 2021 Review

Wow! That's the word that comes to mind after finishing the attractions at the PennHurst Asylum. Nurse Betty prepares you as best she can for the type of crazy you're about to walk into but it will still blow you away! The special effects and optical illusions in the 3 attractions are unmatched this season.

Their use of lasers, fog, air cannons, and props pair perfectly with the passion of the actors and quality built scenes. We ran out of breath running from these patients. Beware, the actors will touch you! They stay in flawless character not only inside the attractions but out as well. The patient with the bed pan and her doctor were disgustingly entertaining throughout the waiting areas. The actors are clearly excited to be back this season and the hard work of designers and builders in the off season shines through. Like we mentioned in our video review, you can come back to this place weekly and no 2 shows will be the same. This haunt is constantly changing and adding on. Please go see them and tell them HRC sent you!

Shocktoberfest PA 2021 Review

September 18th the HRC kicked off week 2 of reviews with a trip to Shocktoberfest!

This years show is their 30th season and includes 3 main attractions. “Unknown 3.0” was our first stop. We noticed that there is no longer a theatrical introduction. They have instead reworked the flow of the attraction and placed actors in new unassuming locations. The use of their props and quality sets lent to an on-edge feeling as we navigated through the darkness. The actors in here were by far our favorites of the night. They were so in character and seemed to exude all the energy we have missed in the off-season. You can tell that they didn’t reinvent the wheel with this one, but they changed just enough to give us a new show and new surprises. Next, we took the bus over to their “Prison of the Dead” this place was built to perfection. The scenes are ridiculous. Again, the beginning has changed from the seasons prior. We are no longer given a long seated speech by a guard. Instead, we are sent into our doom immediately. They use catwalks, air compressors, smells, and just the right amount of ghouls and chain saws to leave you running for it. There were a few places where we sort of felt like we were safe because it was just darkness, and then BOOM, an animatronic or actor, would go off at the right time. The tunnels in there seemed to go on forever. It felt like they added a lot more to the show, which when you have a 50,000 square foot prison, you don’t need to, but wow, are we happy they did.

There is a lot of going inside to out, and somehow it all stays perfectly in theme and perfectly zombie-infested. As our member Rich said: “The prison is the crown jewel of Shocktoberfest.” We always enjoy it. Our final attraction of the night was the “Zombie Safari Hayride.” Among the tall trees, you see the silhouettes of branches hiding the buildings and flesh eating zombies within. The storyline is a good one and in this day and age, who knows maybe a foreshadowing of life among the zombies should they escape containment! It was a great time overall. If you happen to check them out, please let them know the Haunt Review Crew sent you!

Field of Screams PA 2021 Review

In spite of the pandemic and all the challenges that go along with owning a business in these times, Field Of Screams managed to pull off changes and updates to their show. 2021 has proved to be another win! We made our way through the Den of Darkness, a 3 story barn where you face your fears and senses. The part where we crawl over dead bodies in the dark sends chills down our spines. The stench of death is all around adding to the grossness of it all. Legend has it, the man who lived in the house tortured locals there. Their souls remain trapped and they are not willing to let you leave! The den was the most actor filled of the attractions this year. We really enjoyed their take on the den. The Frightmare asylum was a lot of fun as usual. There are 4 floors of madness here. The doctors have gone mad and the patients who have been tortured wish to torture you. The use of the animatronics in here are always impressive. They are well placed and in many instances we cannot tell if it is a prop or person. Those make for the best scares. We ventured to Nocturnal Wasteland next, this is the outdoor walk-thru attraction. This is definitely a terrifying trail. They had fog so dense that we had to stop and wait a second just to be able to walk safely. This is just before we were dumped into the swamp scene, which is an HRC favorite. The swamp houses all kinds of nasty creatures mutated from toxic waste. Hurry through, you are not safe here! The fourth and final attraction we reviewed was the Hayride. Once you get to the wagon you are greeted by a 20 ft tall pumpkin, and rows of corn. This year the Hayride features a cryo scene sure to freeze your goosebumps on the spot! We also loved the new crane scene. In general the hayride has seen the most upgrades as far as scenes go. You should probably wear a poncho. The blood is everywhere! This hayride has always been one of our favorites and 2021 did not lack its usual charm.

In addition to these 4 scary attractions, we love the midway! Field of Screams features ghouls of all kinds in their midway area. Along with a huge stage for acts to perform. There are many actors roaming about to entertain and scare you as you wait to enter the attractions. Always an amazing time. Great job again to the FOS crew!